The Russian Pantsir-S1 SAM / SPAAG System

The Russian Pantsir-S1 SAM / SPAAG System is a truly gnarly, short to medium range anti-aircraft weapon system. It is one of the most modern SAM systems in Russian service and has been exported or trialled by other nations.

The Pantsir-S1 was unveiled for the first time to the public during the MAKS Air Show in Zhukosvsky near Moscow in 1995. The system can be mounted on either the Ural-53234 8×8 or Kamaz-6560 8×8 or MAN SX45 wheeled military truck and its believed that it will replace the Russian 9K22 Tunguska in service.

The system uses its own target acquisition and tracking radars mounted in the centre of the turret. Maximum detection range is 32 km – 36 km and maximum tracking range is 24 km – 28 km. The system is equipped with two types of weapons:

The Russian Pantsir-S1 SAM / SPAAG System – Surface to Air Missiles

The system carries up to twelve 57E6 or 57E6-E two-stage solid fuel radio-command-guided surface-to-air missiles in sealed ready-to-launch containers. Missiles are arranged into two six-tube groups on the turret.

The missile is not fitted with seeker to keep target engagement costs low. Instead high-precision target and missile tracking is provided via the systems multiband sensor system and guidance data is submitted via radio link for up to four missiles in flight.

The Russian Pantsir-S1 SAM / SPAAG System Operators

Most systems have been ordered from 2000 onwards.

Algeria – 38 have been ordered and believed to be in serviceBrazil – Brazil and Russia could sign a contract on the delivery as early as in the first half of 2015Iran – 10 vehiclesIraq – First delivery of 50 vehicles completed in September 2014Jordan – tested and expected to order the vehicleOman – 12 vehiclesRussia – 35 vehiclesSyria – Up to 50 vehiclesUnited Arab Emirates – All 50 systems use wheeled MAN SX 45 8×8 trucks